Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24
At 10:30 ET, the Lakers (-148) will host the Kings (+125) in a Western Pacific Division matchup. Sacramento has lost five straight games and is currently 12th in the Western Conference, while Los Angeles is fifth in the West and has a record of 17-13.
The over/under line for this game is 223.5 points, and the Lakers are favored by three. NBCS will televise the contest, which will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
SACRAMENTO KINGS VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Sacramento Kings +3
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 ET on Saturday, December 28th.
WHY BET THE SACRAMENTO KINGS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 135-127 in favor of the Kings.
- Our projections have De’Aaron Fox finishing with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
- From the field, we have the Kings finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.7% and knocking down 14 threes.
Can the Kings Pull Off a Road Win?
The Kings fell to 13-18 on the season after a 114-113 home loss to the Pistons on Thursday. Sacramento, favored by 5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 227, exactly matching the pre-game over/under line.
After an 11-0 run in the 2nd quarter, the Kings appeared in control, leading 91-77 going into the 4th. However, they were outscored 37-22 in the final period, allowing Detroit to complete the comeback.
De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 26 points in their 114-113 loss to the Pistons, scoring 14 in the 3rd quarter and 11 more in the 4th. Fox hit 44% from the field and made 2 threes at 28.6%.
Trey Lyles added 20 points, hitting 4 threes at 57.1% and shooting 62.5% overall. The Kings made 14 threes at 35.9% as a team, with a 47.6% field goal percentage.
The Kings had a strong defensive effort in the 2nd and 3rd quarters but struggled in the 1st and 4th, giving up 34 and 37 points, respectively, in their 114-113 loss to the Pistons. Overall, they allowed Detroit to shoot 41% from the field.
Sacramento gave up 17 threes on 38% shooting and sent the Pistons to the line 25 times, where they made 21 free throws. The Kings finished with 36 defensive rebounds, allowing 10 offensive boards, and recorded 3 steals and 6 blocks.
Do the Lakers Have a Shot at a Home Win?
The Lakers improved to 17-13 this season with a 115-113 win over the Warriors on Wednesday. Los Angeles, who entered the game as +4 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 228, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 220.
After a 23-23 tie in the 1st quarter, the Lakers edged ahead by winning the 2nd and 3rd quarters, leading 84-76 going into the 4th. Despite a late push by the Warriors, who outscored the Lakers 37-31 in the final quarter, Los Angeles held on for the win.
LeBron James led the Lakers to a 115-113 win over the Warriors, posting 31 points and 10 assists while shooting 54.5% from the field. Austin Reaves added a triple-double with 26 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, hitting 4 threes at a 40% clip.
Rui Hachimura knocked down 5 threes, shooting 71.4% from deep and finishing with 18 points. The Lakers hit 15 threes as a team, shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc and 45.1% overall. Reaves scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, while Max Christie and Hachimura each added 6 points in the final period.
Defensively, the Lakers were solid in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 23 and 24 points, respectively, but they struggled in the 4th, allowing 37 points. Overall, they gave up 113 points on 46% shooting from the field to the Warriors.
From beyond the arc, the Lakers allowed 18 made threes on 40% shooting. They sent the Warriors to the line 17 times, where they made 13 free throws. The Lakers recorded 30 defensive rebounds, gave up 12 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 4 blocks.